F1 2018
- Thread starter 1%er
- Start date
Very wiseThanks. I've been watching Saving Lives at Sea. I'd not go near the fucker without training or someone who is trained.
hipipol
Peckham Wry
Ah, it would seem, as I suspected, that I not not installed the necessary defensive mechanisms.....
Sorry bout the delay, but assumed that it would be procession till the end, so buggered off down the shops
Seems it stayed as was
1%er
Well-Known Member
Could qualifying be changed for 2019
Rumor has it that the qualifying format could be changed for the 2019 season. The new regulations may see an additional session added to the current three stages. Currently the five slowest drivers drop out at the end of Q1 and a further five drop out at the end of Q2, leaving ten drivers to fight in Q3. However according to the rumored changes a 'Q4' session will be added. Four drivers would drop out after the first three sessions before a top eight shootout occurs in Q4. The objective is to add more tension and excitement to the running on Saturday afternoon. It is unclear how tyre chose would be decided, but one would assume that the tyres used in Q3 would be the starting tyres for the top 8, with everyone else being given a free chose.
Formula One Licensing trademark applications
Formula One Licensing has filed trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for merchandise and other items related to the "Las Vegas Grand Prix", although similar applications have also been made for New York and Miami. Interestingly enough, the Formula One group's commercial head Sean Bratches was supposed to be in Singapore but he took off to the United States at the last minute. Given that Singapore is a major F1 marketplace these days, it must have been important. One rumor kicking around is that the race that is being discussed in Las Vegas would be a night race and that it could take place on the streets of the celebrated gambling city on a Saturday night. Any race in Las Vegas would have to held outside the summer season in that city, as that is when millions of gamblers from across the country go to the city and as F1 wouldn't bring in much revenue for the casinos they would surely oppose any F1 event during their peak period.
Williams a very sad story
Williams is a very sad story at the moment, particularly as the team is running with Mercedes engines, which should put the team somewhere near Force India in the pecking order. But that is not the case at all and if things continue as they are Williams is going to end the year 10th and last in the Constructors' Championship. The team has rejected help from Mercedes, which was keen to place one or more of its young drivers at Grove, and was willing to invest in a loss-making deal to supply the team with the Mercedes rear end. Williams has rejected this idea, which is worrying. One understands that the team has pride and wants to remain being a constructor, but when it comes to needs must, one wonders whether sticking with the same technical leadership is a good decision. The technical leader must take the blame (or the glory) for a car. Paddy Lowe felt that his team designing this year's car was good. The result wasn't really very good at all, so his belief that the people who have now taken over are good, must be seen as slightly worrying. Two consecutive failures would warrant only a swift boot up the rear end, but it would also call into question the decision-making that allowed it to happen. Leadership is key to success in F1. In any case, there is little doubt that building their own car and using pay-drivers to race it is a high-risk strategy that has failed this year. Doing the same thing again next year hopefully will produce a better result.
Dan Ticktum to Toro Rosso
Word in the pit lane is that Red Bull are trying to convince the FIA to grant a Superlicence to British driver Dan Ticktum. He did not get any Superlicence points in 2017 and was banned from racing in 2016 and so his 30 points for winning the European Formula 3 Championship this year (if he does win) would not be enough to get him through. However, he did win the Macau GP in 2017 and the argument is that this is the FIA Formula 3 World Cup and should have some points attached to it. It can only happen if Ticktum wins the title and if the FIA votes through a change at the next meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on October 12. It could happen but this weekend is important in that respect as the 19-year-old British driver is under pressure from Mick Schumacher, who has won six of the last 10 races, while Ticktum has won only four times this year. Currently the points totals are 264-261 with six races to be completed.
Ticktum is best known for an outlandish incident at the end of 2015 when he was racing in the MSA Formula in Britain. He lost his temper and overtook 10 cars behind the Safety Car in order to ram rival Ricky Collard. This got him a two-year ban, with the second year being suspended.
Rumor has it that the qualifying format could be changed for the 2019 season. The new regulations may see an additional session added to the current three stages. Currently the five slowest drivers drop out at the end of Q1 and a further five drop out at the end of Q2, leaving ten drivers to fight in Q3. However according to the rumored changes a 'Q4' session will be added. Four drivers would drop out after the first three sessions before a top eight shootout occurs in Q4. The objective is to add more tension and excitement to the running on Saturday afternoon. It is unclear how tyre chose would be decided, but one would assume that the tyres used in Q3 would be the starting tyres for the top 8, with everyone else being given a free chose.
Formula One Licensing trademark applications
Formula One Licensing has filed trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for merchandise and other items related to the "Las Vegas Grand Prix", although similar applications have also been made for New York and Miami. Interestingly enough, the Formula One group's commercial head Sean Bratches was supposed to be in Singapore but he took off to the United States at the last minute. Given that Singapore is a major F1 marketplace these days, it must have been important. One rumor kicking around is that the race that is being discussed in Las Vegas would be a night race and that it could take place on the streets of the celebrated gambling city on a Saturday night. Any race in Las Vegas would have to held outside the summer season in that city, as that is when millions of gamblers from across the country go to the city and as F1 wouldn't bring in much revenue for the casinos they would surely oppose any F1 event during their peak period.
Williams a very sad story
Williams is a very sad story at the moment, particularly as the team is running with Mercedes engines, which should put the team somewhere near Force India in the pecking order. But that is not the case at all and if things continue as they are Williams is going to end the year 10th and last in the Constructors' Championship. The team has rejected help from Mercedes, which was keen to place one or more of its young drivers at Grove, and was willing to invest in a loss-making deal to supply the team with the Mercedes rear end. Williams has rejected this idea, which is worrying. One understands that the team has pride and wants to remain being a constructor, but when it comes to needs must, one wonders whether sticking with the same technical leadership is a good decision. The technical leader must take the blame (or the glory) for a car. Paddy Lowe felt that his team designing this year's car was good. The result wasn't really very good at all, so his belief that the people who have now taken over are good, must be seen as slightly worrying. Two consecutive failures would warrant only a swift boot up the rear end, but it would also call into question the decision-making that allowed it to happen. Leadership is key to success in F1. In any case, there is little doubt that building their own car and using pay-drivers to race it is a high-risk strategy that has failed this year. Doing the same thing again next year hopefully will produce a better result.
Dan Ticktum to Toro Rosso
Word in the pit lane is that Red Bull are trying to convince the FIA to grant a Superlicence to British driver Dan Ticktum. He did not get any Superlicence points in 2017 and was banned from racing in 2016 and so his 30 points for winning the European Formula 3 Championship this year (if he does win) would not be enough to get him through. However, he did win the Macau GP in 2017 and the argument is that this is the FIA Formula 3 World Cup and should have some points attached to it. It can only happen if Ticktum wins the title and if the FIA votes through a change at the next meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on October 12. It could happen but this weekend is important in that respect as the 19-year-old British driver is under pressure from Mick Schumacher, who has won six of the last 10 races, while Ticktum has won only four times this year. Currently the points totals are 264-261 with six races to be completed.
Ticktum is best known for an outlandish incident at the end of 2015 when he was racing in the MSA Formula in Britain. He lost his temper and overtook 10 cars behind the Safety Car in order to ram rival Ricky Collard. This got him a two-year ban, with the second year being suspended.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
He sounds amazing, is there any footage of that online? 
1%er
Well-Known Member
Red Bull to take grid penalties in Sochi
Red Bull is bracing for a rough weekend in Sochi as it is set to take grid penalties for Sunday's race. The team opted to fit Renault's 'C spec' engine to its cars for the Singapore Grand Prix, despite it not being used by either Renault or McLaren. Renault admitted that while the new engine brought extra pace, it sacrificed reliability, the engine suffered from a number of issues. But the team has opted to switch back to the previous specification of engine despite the strong result. This will mean a grid drop for both of its drivers, as it continues to climb above the allocated three engines per season limit.
Christian Horner said “We’ve got the previous specification going in for the next race, so Sochi is going to be a tough weekend for us. We accepted the risks when we took this Spec C engine. It has delivered a bit more power and it has been a bit rough around the edges. I think the Red Bull mechanics actually did a good job to tidy it up as best they could on the mapping within their parameters. With more time and more optimisation, it would only be better", Horner added that the team would give the 'C spec' engine another chance in Japan following Russia.
Williams Grand Prix Holdings announce £2.7m loss
When it rains it pours, Williams Grand Prix Holdings have announced the Group’s interim results for the six months to 30 June 2018. In documents released today, Williams Grand Prix Holdings, the holding company of the Williams group including their F1 team, announced that revenue and earnings are down for 2018 so far. Group revenue was marginally lower in the first six months of 2018 at £82.6m, compared to £85.9m in the same period last year. EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) for 2018 was a loss of £2.7m, compared to a profit of £10.4m in the prior year. This difference is largely driven by a non-recurring one-off item received in the first half of 2017 (I wonder what that was?).
The Formula One business generated £60.7m in revenue in 2018 down on the £65.5m for the same period in 2017.
Red Bull is bracing for a rough weekend in Sochi as it is set to take grid penalties for Sunday's race. The team opted to fit Renault's 'C spec' engine to its cars for the Singapore Grand Prix, despite it not being used by either Renault or McLaren. Renault admitted that while the new engine brought extra pace, it sacrificed reliability, the engine suffered from a number of issues. But the team has opted to switch back to the previous specification of engine despite the strong result. This will mean a grid drop for both of its drivers, as it continues to climb above the allocated three engines per season limit.
Christian Horner said “We’ve got the previous specification going in for the next race, so Sochi is going to be a tough weekend for us. We accepted the risks when we took this Spec C engine. It has delivered a bit more power and it has been a bit rough around the edges. I think the Red Bull mechanics actually did a good job to tidy it up as best they could on the mapping within their parameters. With more time and more optimisation, it would only be better", Horner added that the team would give the 'C spec' engine another chance in Japan following Russia.
Williams Grand Prix Holdings announce £2.7m loss
When it rains it pours, Williams Grand Prix Holdings have announced the Group’s interim results for the six months to 30 June 2018. In documents released today, Williams Grand Prix Holdings, the holding company of the Williams group including their F1 team, announced that revenue and earnings are down for 2018 so far. Group revenue was marginally lower in the first six months of 2018 at £82.6m, compared to £85.9m in the same period last year. EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) for 2018 was a loss of £2.7m, compared to a profit of £10.4m in the prior year. This difference is largely driven by a non-recurring one-off item received in the first half of 2017 (I wonder what that was?).
The Formula One business generated £60.7m in revenue in 2018 down on the £65.5m for the same period in 2017.
1%er
Well-Known Member
Who'd have thunk it 
Surprise, suprise! Sauber have confirmed their driver line-up for 2019 and Marcus Ericsson isn't in the picture I'd have lost a lot of money as Ericsson's backers brought into Sauber to ensure he had a drive, but having signed Kimi Raikkonen for next season they have decided to partner him with Antonio Giovinazzi. Giovinazzi took part in two Grands Prix with Sauber in 2017 as replacement for the injured Pascal Wehrlein. He has remained onboard with the team as their third driver.
Ferrari made Giovinazzi its third driver in 2017/18 and the Italian has increasingly become integral to the Scuderia's race operation as a simulator driver, helping the team work through different set-up options from its Maranello base. I wonder if they are looking at him as a future replacement for Sebastian Vettel, I feel that Ferrari are not happy with Vettel and believe he has under-preformed for the team. His contract with Ferrari is until 2020 but it is likely that 2020 is an option year.
It is looking more and more unlikely that Ferrari will win the constructors or drivers championship again this year (unless Mercedes have DNF's or grid penalties) and the team must be asking questions about their number 1 driver, who everyone agrees has had the best car for the last few races. I think Vettel remaining at Ferrari could be in the hands of Charles Leclerc and how he performs next season (lets not forget that Danny Ric beat Vettel at Red Bull when they drove together), Ferrari know a great deal about Antonio Giovinazzi and haven't got him a seat at Sauber above the Sauber owners own back driver for nothing, I think we could see him in a Ferrari by 2020 if he shows he has pace.
Marcus Ericsson now joins a long list of drivers without a seat for 2019
Looks like Miami Grand Prix is off the table
The Miami City Commission meets on Thursday and will vote on a proposal to indefinitely defer the resolution to enter into an agreement with Formula One and South Florida Racing to host a Grand Prix at Bayfront Park for the next 10 years. This means that the Miami Grand Prix is not going to happen any time soon, if at all. There were too many disagreements with PortMiami about its involvement and the Formula One group was not happy with the track layout which it felt required waterfront access to get the Miami message across.
Liberty Media are keen to get more races in the USA to open up the sport to the American public, but other established motor racing franchises in the USA are not too happy to have to compete with F1. It is unclear if lobbying by other races series has influenced Miami City Commission decision to defer F1's arrival in their city, but what is clear is that other US racing bodies are not be keen on F1 arriving on their doorstep.
While this is a setback for Liberty Media, it isn't the end of the world. As mentioned above they are in talks with a number of other cities including Las Vegas, as it would be relatively easy to slip another race on to the calendar close to the Canadian race which has a fixed date agreed with F1.
Surprise, suprise! Sauber have confirmed their driver line-up for 2019 and Marcus Ericsson isn't in the picture
I'd have lost a lot of money as Ericsson's backers brought into Sauber to ensure he had a drive, but having signed Kimi Raikkonen for next season they have decided to partner him with Antonio Giovinazzi. Giovinazzi took part in two Grands Prix with Sauber in 2017 as replacement for the injured Pascal Wehrlein. He has remained onboard with the team as their third driver.Ferrari made Giovinazzi its third driver in 2017/18 and the Italian has increasingly become integral to the Scuderia's race operation as a simulator driver, helping the team work through different set-up options from its Maranello base. I wonder if they are looking at him as a future replacement for Sebastian Vettel, I feel that Ferrari are not happy with Vettel and believe he has under-preformed for the team. His contract with Ferrari is until 2020 but it is likely that 2020 is an option year.
It is looking more and more unlikely that Ferrari will win the constructors or drivers championship again this year (unless Mercedes have DNF's or grid penalties) and the team must be asking questions about their number 1 driver, who everyone agrees has had the best car for the last few races. I think Vettel remaining at Ferrari could be in the hands of Charles Leclerc and how he performs next season (lets not forget that Danny Ric beat Vettel at Red Bull when they drove together), Ferrari know a great deal about Antonio Giovinazzi and haven't got him a seat at Sauber above the Sauber owners own back driver for nothing, I think we could see him in a Ferrari by 2020 if he shows he has pace.
Marcus Ericsson now joins a long list of drivers without a seat for 2019
Looks like Miami Grand Prix is off the table
The Miami City Commission meets on Thursday and will vote on a proposal to indefinitely defer the resolution to enter into an agreement with Formula One and South Florida Racing to host a Grand Prix at Bayfront Park for the next 10 years. This means that the Miami Grand Prix is not going to happen any time soon, if at all. There were too many disagreements with PortMiami about its involvement and the Formula One group was not happy with the track layout which it felt required waterfront access to get the Miami message across.
Liberty Media are keen to get more races in the USA to open up the sport to the American public, but other established motor racing franchises in the USA are not too happy to have to compete with F1. It is unclear if lobbying by other races series has influenced Miami City Commission decision to defer F1's arrival in their city, but what is clear is that other US racing bodies are not be keen on F1 arriving on their doorstep.
While this is a setback for Liberty Media, it isn't the end of the world. As mentioned above they are in talks with a number of other cities including Las Vegas, as it would be relatively easy to slip another race on to the calendar close to the Canadian race which has a fixed date agreed with F1.
Agree that Vettel has 'lost' points and races over recent races and Ferrari are unlikely to tolerate that for long. It is odd to think of Vettel battling to keep his seat at Ferrari but there are a lot of other drivers that could be world champions in the right car.
1%er
Well-Known Member
Welcome back I've missed your input, have you been away? This is a breakfast race for me so very welcome
1%er
Well-Known Member
FRP Advisory being taken to court over Force India
As mentioned above, Uralkali have now said they are taking legal proceedings against the joint Administrators to Force India Formula One Team Limited. Dmitry Mazepin, father of Force India development driver and GP3 racer, is a non-executive director at Uralkali and was one of the interested parties that was looking to purchase the Silverstone-based squad after it entered administration. The company said in a statement: “Despite Uralkali’s generous offer for the business and assets, which we believe was the best bid on the table, the administrators chose to enter into an exclusivity arrangement with another bidder and subsequently refused to reengage with Uralkali”. Uralkali has accused FRP Advisory of not recognising that their bid was higher, “misrepresentations and lack of transparency” in the process of bidding and “failing to achieve the maximisation of sale proceeds for the benefit of creditors, shareholders and other stakeholders”.
However, both Force India and FRP Advisory say they have no knowledge of any legal action filed against them. Today FRP Advisory released a statement adding some clarity to the situation. "The Joint Administrators to Force India Formula One Team Limited note that Uralkali issued a press release this morning detailing how a claim has been issued against us in High Court in London. No such claim has been received by us or, as far as we are aware, by the Court. If a claim is issued it will be defended vigorously. We have fulfilled our statutory duties as administrators throughout this process and ultimately achieved a very successful outcome for all stakeholders. Any legal action brought against us will be defended vigorously, and we are confident it would be dismissed".
As I predicted at the time this story isn't over and could run for sometime, although I don't expect the ownership of Racing Point Force India to change.
Miami Race still not completely off the table
In post 1388 I wrote that the Miami City Commission was meeting to vote on a proposal to indefinitely defer the resolution to enter into an agreement with Formula One and South Florida Racing to host a Grand Prix at Bayfront Park for the next 10 years. This motion was not passed but an amended motion was passed which in effect formally suspended, but didn't scrapped the proposed race. Initially slated to join the calendar in 2019, the race has been delayed by at least a year following opposition concerning the use of waterfront areas near the American Airlines Arena. The initial circuit plans featured a proposed layout using Biscayne Boulevard and the Port Miami area, but with public funding set to be debated in July, F1 managing director of commercial operations Sean Bratches said both the sport and Miami authorities had decided “to postpone sign-off until later in the summer” while targeting a 2020 race.
I think Sean Bratches is being very optimistic if he thinks there will be a race in Miami anytime soon. The opposition to any race has been growing, with residents groups, other motor racing franchisees and the Port Authority against the idea Liberty Media has a massive hill to climb.
UK government subsidies to F1 teams
UK-based Formula One teams have received £112.2m in subsidies from the UK government since 2012 it appears. Six UK based F1 teams received tax breaks and payments from HM Revenue & Customs courtesy of the Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC). Force India was the largest beneficiary, receiving cash payments of £51.6m, ahead of McLaren £28.3, Mercedes £12.2m, Manor £11.9m, Renault £4.5m and Williams £3.7m.
The RDEC means HMRC refunds 12 per cent of a company's spending on research and development, either in terms of reducing its tax bill, in the event it makes a profit, or cash payments if there is no tax to be paid. There is no suggestion of impropriety on the part of the teams who are merely taking advantage of the UK tax system.
As mentioned above, Uralkali have now said they are taking legal proceedings against the joint Administrators to Force India Formula One Team Limited. Dmitry Mazepin, father of Force India development driver and GP3 racer, is a non-executive director at Uralkali and was one of the interested parties that was looking to purchase the Silverstone-based squad after it entered administration. The company said in a statement: “Despite Uralkali’s generous offer for the business and assets, which we believe was the best bid on the table, the administrators chose to enter into an exclusivity arrangement with another bidder and subsequently refused to reengage with Uralkali”. Uralkali has accused FRP Advisory of not recognising that their bid was higher, “misrepresentations and lack of transparency” in the process of bidding and “failing to achieve the maximisation of sale proceeds for the benefit of creditors, shareholders and other stakeholders”.
However, both Force India and FRP Advisory say they have no knowledge of any legal action filed against them. Today FRP Advisory released a statement adding some clarity to the situation. "The Joint Administrators to Force India Formula One Team Limited note that Uralkali issued a press release this morning detailing how a claim has been issued against us in High Court in London. No such claim has been received by us or, as far as we are aware, by the Court. If a claim is issued it will be defended vigorously. We have fulfilled our statutory duties as administrators throughout this process and ultimately achieved a very successful outcome for all stakeholders. Any legal action brought against us will be defended vigorously, and we are confident it would be dismissed".
As I predicted at the time this story isn't over and could run for sometime, although I don't expect the ownership of Racing Point Force India to change.
Miami Race still not completely off the table
In post 1388 I wrote that the Miami City Commission was meeting to vote on a proposal to indefinitely defer the resolution to enter into an agreement with Formula One and South Florida Racing to host a Grand Prix at Bayfront Park for the next 10 years. This motion was not passed but an amended motion was passed which in effect formally suspended, but didn't scrapped the proposed race. Initially slated to join the calendar in 2019, the race has been delayed by at least a year following opposition concerning the use of waterfront areas near the American Airlines Arena. The initial circuit plans featured a proposed layout using Biscayne Boulevard and the Port Miami area, but with public funding set to be debated in July, F1 managing director of commercial operations Sean Bratches said both the sport and Miami authorities had decided “to postpone sign-off until later in the summer” while targeting a 2020 race.
I think Sean Bratches is being very optimistic if he thinks there will be a race in Miami anytime soon. The opposition to any race has been growing, with residents groups, other motor racing franchisees and the Port Authority against the idea Liberty Media has a massive hill to climb.
UK government subsidies to F1 teams
UK-based Formula One teams have received £112.2m in subsidies from the UK government since 2012 it appears. Six UK based F1 teams received tax breaks and payments from HM Revenue & Customs courtesy of the Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC). Force India was the largest beneficiary, receiving cash payments of £51.6m, ahead of McLaren £28.3, Mercedes £12.2m, Manor £11.9m, Renault £4.5m and Williams £3.7m.
The RDEC means HMRC refunds 12 per cent of a company's spending on research and development, either in terms of reducing its tax bill, in the event it makes a profit, or cash payments if there is no tax to be paid. There is no suggestion of impropriety on the part of the teams who are merely taking advantage of the UK tax system.
1%er
Well-Known Member
Haas confirms 2019 driver line-up
Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean will continue to drive for Haas Formula 1 team in 2019, the team confirmed today. “From the very beginning, we needed experienced drivers to hasten the development of our car and our team, and we have two very good and experienced drivers in Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen, We’ve improved drastically from last year to this year, so retaining both drivers was a pretty easy decision” said team boss Gunther Steiner.
More grid penalties
Fernando Alonso has become the fifth driver to receive a grid penalty for the Russian Grand Prix this weekend after taking on new power unit components. Following the Singapore Grand Prix, Red Bull has opted to revert back to the 'spec B' Renault engine, so it is likely that both their drivers will start from the back. Toro Rosso has fitted new parts to both of its cars ahead of Sochi, so its drivers will join the Red Bulls and Alonso.
All five cars have been fitted with a new combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-H and MGU-K. Verstappen, Alonso and Hartley also have a new control electronics, while Verstappen and Alonso have taken on new energy stores, if you are going to get a penalty you may as well fill your boots
Upgrades for the top two
Both Ferrari and Mercedes have upgraded their cars for Sochi. Ferrari have brought a revamped front wing, there is a revised footplate design and have added the vertical slot in the endplate. One of the most interesting changes made by Ferrari is to the turning vane, it is thought that some of these updates were for the 2019 car but Ferrari is under pressure so has brought them forward, it is unclear if they will use them all during the race, I guess that will depend on how well they work in free practice.
Mercedes has not sat back and has taken a leaf out of Ferrari's book with a new rear wing design for this weekend's race in Sochi. It has copied Ferrari's idea of replacing its single rear-wing pillar with two thinner swan-neck supports. Mercedes has also opted to mount a downwash winglet between the pillars, which adjusts the trajectory of the exhaust plume and its subsequent interaction with the airflow under the rear wing. The team has also introduced some changes to its front wing, with a new pair of canards on the inside of the endplate. The main cascade is no longer pushed away from its edge.
None of Ferrari or Mercedes upgrades are 100% new, they have all be seen on other cars in one form or another, both teams appear to have taken little bits from a number of other cars and put them together to see how they perform.
Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean will continue to drive for Haas Formula 1 team in 2019, the team confirmed today. “From the very beginning, we needed experienced drivers to hasten the development of our car and our team, and we have two very good and experienced drivers in Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen, We’ve improved drastically from last year to this year, so retaining both drivers was a pretty easy decision” said team boss Gunther Steiner.
More grid penalties
Fernando Alonso has become the fifth driver to receive a grid penalty for the Russian Grand Prix this weekend after taking on new power unit components. Following the Singapore Grand Prix, Red Bull has opted to revert back to the 'spec B' Renault engine, so it is likely that both their drivers will start from the back. Toro Rosso has fitted new parts to both of its cars ahead of Sochi, so its drivers will join the Red Bulls and Alonso.
All five cars have been fitted with a new combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-H and MGU-K. Verstappen, Alonso and Hartley also have a new control electronics, while Verstappen and Alonso have taken on new energy stores, if you are going to get a penalty you may as well fill your boots
Upgrades for the top two
Both Ferrari and Mercedes have upgraded their cars for Sochi. Ferrari have brought a revamped front wing, there is a revised footplate design and have added the vertical slot in the endplate. One of the most interesting changes made by Ferrari is to the turning vane, it is thought that some of these updates were for the 2019 car but Ferrari is under pressure so has brought them forward, it is unclear if they will use them all during the race, I guess that will depend on how well they work in free practice.
Mercedes has not sat back and has taken a leaf out of Ferrari's book with a new rear wing design for this weekend's race in Sochi. It has copied Ferrari's idea of replacing its single rear-wing pillar with two thinner swan-neck supports. Mercedes has also opted to mount a downwash winglet between the pillars, which adjusts the trajectory of the exhaust plume and its subsequent interaction with the airflow under the rear wing. The team has also introduced some changes to its front wing, with a new pair of canards on the inside of the endplate. The main cascade is no longer pushed away from its edge.
None of Ferrari or Mercedes upgrades are 100% new, they have all be seen on other cars in one form or another, both teams appear to have taken little bits from a number of other cars and put them together to see how they perform.
cybershot
Well-Known Member
Slight tangent but this is a huge problem across the board in the UK and a massive workaround for companies to make huge reductions in their corporation tax. I’ve tried to get my local labour mp (who is shadow something or other) but have had no response. Probably because it was a labour idea and now companies left right and centre abuse it and according to my friend who does the accounts for a business the govt don’t have the resource to check it and just pass it. He quite proudly reckons he’s saved his company millions in corporate tax by making up job titles for people that made out they were involved in research and development when they were not. Even warehouse staff has some bullshit job title. This was until I pointed out he’s helping rob the same NHS that he relies on for his sons health condition. Needless to say he doesn’t bring it up anymore but if he’s doing it no doubt many more companies are using this loophole. Obviously f1 does do a hell of a lot of r&d so they can be excused.
Needs serious investigation but I suspect the media also take advantage of it and are not going to whistleblow a loophole that benefits them also.
cybershot
Well-Known Member
Try reddit. If I need a stream of anything now it’s the first place I check.
Here’s the motorsports section.
Motorsport and Motor Racing Streams • r/motorsportsstreams
Here’s the motorsports section.
Motorsport and Motor Racing Streams • r/motorsportsstreams
1%er
Well-Known Member
Interesting grid from P5 back and with the Red Bulls looking to be charging through, I guess it will all depend on how everyone gets through turn 2 off the line. This is how qualifying finished, the top ten will remain the same but from there down it will change for the race.
Catch you for the race tomorrow
Catch you for the race tomorrow
1%er
Well-Known Member
Good morning all
Kvyat back in the Red Bull fold after re-signing for Toro Rosso, I think what that shows is that Red Bull have not been investing in their young driver program, if we look back some really good drivers have come through with Red Bull, but there is currently no-one to put in their Toro Rosso car. Is this an indication that they are no longer in it for the long term.
Starting Grid for todays race after pemalties:
Article 23.3b) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations provides that if a driver incurs a penalty exceeding 15 grid positions in relation to power unit elements, he will be required to start from the back of the starting grid. But this seems to conflict with Article 35.2c) provides that grid position penalties be applied in the order the offences were committed.
I think what has happened here is that the other drivers changed multi-power-unit parts and Vandoorne only changed one, so the Stewards felt it would be unfair to put him behind them, I'm not sure that is how the rules are written but the stewards have the right to set the grid (if penalties are incurred) so that's that.
Kvyat back in the Red Bull fold after re-signing for Toro Rosso, I think what that shows is that Red Bull have not been investing in their young driver program, if we look back some really good drivers have come through with Red Bull, but there is currently no-one to put in their Toro Rosso car. Is this an indication that they are no longer in it for the long term.
Starting Grid for todays race after pemalties:
- Valtteri Bottas Mercedes
- Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
- Sebastian Vettel Ferrari
- Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari
- Kevin Magnussen Haas
- Esteban Ocon Force India
- Charles Leclerc Sauber
- Sergio Perez Force India
- Romain Grosjean Haas
- Marcus Ericsson Sauber
- Carlos Sainz Renault
- Nico Hulkenberg Renault
- Sergey Sirotkin Williams
- Lance Stroll Williams
- Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren*
- Fernando Alonso McLaren*
- Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso*
- Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Racing*
- Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing*
- Brendon Hartley Toro Rosso*
Article 23.3b) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations provides that if a driver incurs a penalty exceeding 15 grid positions in relation to power unit elements, he will be required to start from the back of the starting grid. But this seems to conflict with Article 35.2c) provides that grid position penalties be applied in the order the offences were committed.
I think what has happened here is that the other drivers changed multi-power-unit parts and Vandoorne only changed one, so the Stewards felt it would be unfair to put him behind them, I'm not sure that is how the rules are written but the stewards have the right to set the grid (if penalties are incurred) so that's that.
1%er
Well-Known Member
I think turn 2 at the start could be the most exciting part of the race other than the Red Bulls coming through
FFSI think turn 2 at the start could be the most exciting part of the race other than the Red Bulls coming through
Think Sky will let me watch a delayed start
1%er
Well-Known Member
I don't know how Sky works but if you can "pause the program" you maybe able to watch the start delaying/pausing like that.
Good luck
1%er
Well-Known Member
Live streams here for those who need one. About a 1/4 of the way down the page just after "Video Today"
